The Houston Chronicle 
Meet Our Staff
- Chief Executive Officer — Kay Austin
Kay Austin has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Santa Maria Hostel since 2005 and has been with the organization for 12 years. Ms. Austin has served as Clinical Program Director and Chief Operations Officer during her tenure at the organization.
In 2007, Ms. Austin was elected by the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, Houston Chapter, the 2007 Addiction Professional of the Year for Houston.
Ms. Austin has worked in the addictions treatment field in medical/surgical hospital settings and residential facilities since 1984 in both the private and public sector. She has worked with a general adult population, adolescent care, and, most recently at Santa Maria, with a specialized female population of women and their children.
Ms. Austin's commitment to the clients she serves at Santa Maria is to select talented, committed staff to provide the best possible evidenced-based curricula and to assist these clients by offering court liaison services, family therapy, and co-occurring psychiatric and substance use services to meet their needs.
Kay Austin is a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She utilizes her clinical training and experience each day, along with her education and personal life experience to recognize and provide for the full continuum of needs of the clients in treatment at Santa Maria Hostel.
- Chief Financial Officer — Barbara M. Page
Barbara Page joined the management staff of Santa Maria during 2006, bringing with her over 20 years of high level financial experience with non-profit organizations both in Houston, Texas and Richmond, Virginia, as well as medical group management and private financial and business development consulting expertise.
Although Barbara has managed the fiscal operations of businesses with revenues in excess of $18 million, her passion has been to work with organizations where revenues have an opportunity to change lives. From her years of dedication to the start-up of a residential non-profit organization serving abused and abandoned children, to leading a shelter for homeless women and children into an era of unsurpassed growth made possible through sustaining private donations coupled with over $500,000 in private foundation grants, Barbara has also excelled in the areas of development, grant writing, human resources, and operations. She is proud to be able to bring the strengths of this multi-faceted background to her position as Santa Maria’s CFO.
Barbara also brings in a fresh fiscal and operating perspective due to her service on numerous non-profit Boards of Director’s both in Texas and Virginia. Family, integrity, ethics, and faith are at the root of all Barbara’s work, both in the office and out. She challenges herself, her staff, and fellow employees at Santa Maria to earn the public’s fiscal trust each day. She creates a working environment aimed at setting and nurturing high performance goals, meeting and exceeding expectations, and working with attention to detail and perfection, not just to perform a job, but to change lives through the performance of that job.
Barbara and her husband, Wayne, have been married for 28 years; have three grown sons and one daughter who is a junior at Clemson University, and eight grandchildren.
- Chief Clinical Operations Officer — Deborah Darnell-Drake
Deborah Darnell-Drake is a Licensed Clinical Worker and a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois and her undergraduate degree from Northwestern College.
Currently, Ms. Darnell-Drake is the Chief Clinical Operations Officer at Santa Maria Hostel. Prior to her present employment she was the Assistant Executive Director for Programs at The Women’s Home for seven years. Ms. Darnell-Drake has worked as a clinical supervisor for a psychiatrist, adjunct instructor at Lone Star College, Louisiana State University and was the Unit Director for adolescent and adult psychiatric units. She supervises interns at the Doctoral, Graduate and Undergraduate level from several universities. Ms. Darnell-Drake also supervises clinicians for their licensure in Social Work and Marriage & Family.
Ms. Darnell-Drake has facilitated workshops in the community specifically at two annual conferences sponsored by the Coalition for the Homeless and most recently at the THN (Texas Homeless Network) annual conference. She is a member of the leadership committee and the secretary for the Coalition for the Homeless. She also facilitates Family Therapy Workshops and Family Therapy weekends and Women’s Empowerment.
Ms. Darnell-Drake specializes in Dual Disorders and women’s issues related to addiction. She has a career span of 37 years as an administrator, clinician, supervisor and instructor.
- Fiscal Manager — Dorothea Malone
Dorothea Malone recently joined the accounting team of Santa Maria, bringing with her 21 years of diversified experience in various senior level accounting positions. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and business management; with a concentration in accounting. Her background includes administration, operations and corporate positions in small, growing companies as well as large organizations. She offers experience in all aspects of financial management with an emphasis on business analysis and automation.
Dorothea began her accounting career as nationwide accounting manager for Bank of America; where she assisted with the consolidation of 38 regional sites to the Dallas area. She led strategic planning activities and automation of projects to integrate business and financial processes in trust banking. Following this, she moved to Ernst & Young as Associate Director where she hosted summit meetings with international management teams charged with implementing customer service level agreements which met audit objectives. She was recognized for designing and implementing a database that streamlined processes for her global accounts payable team.
Prior to joining Santa Maria, Dorothea worked as Finance Director for End Hunger Network and as Controller for Bonita House of Hope. It was these experiences and the passion for the mission of changing lives one day at a time that presented her with her lifelong job title. When asked what her role is – Dorothea’s response is “I am a public servant and I love it”. She attributes her successes to the teaching and solid foundation of humility and value added life by her mother and father.
- Accounting and Contract Administrator — Adriana Sandoval
Adriana Sandoval was born and raised in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico in 1973 and graduated from Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology, and Spanish Literature.
Volunteerism has always been a part of Adriana’s life. Throughout her schooling she focused primarily in social and cultural aspects of Anthropology and at times she seemed to be involved in many more hours of volunteer activities than class hours. Being so far away from home, she was always quick to utilize her university breaks to help coordinate and participate in Habitat for Humanity trips. She was co-founder of VIVA!, a student group dedicated to expand awareness of Hispanic Culture reaching members both within the campus and the greater community. She was also an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity for women, in which she served as Philanthropy chair.Soon after graduating, she followed in her mother’s footsteps as she had done when she finished her studies: Mrs. Zahm had joined a church group in her native El Dorado, KS to volunteer three years of lay service in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Adriana joined the now former VESS (Volunteers of Educational and Social Services) and selected to have Santa Maria Hostel become her “mission site” for a year. She later decided to renew her commitment with VESS at Santa Maria Hostel for an additional two years and has dedicated her career to Santa Maria ever since.
Throughout her trajectory at Santa Maria Hostel, Adriana has been involved in practically every department of Santa Maria Hostel. Adriana has seen Santa Maria Hostel grow from having a budget of less than one half million to over 5 million. In her current position, she is proud of being able to make decisions for Santa Maria Hostel with the knowledge of how her personal insight will be impacting the bottom line most effectively, our clients.
Adriana now calls The Woodlands home, where she lives with her husband and 4 year old daughter.
- Executive Director of Development — Jennifer Helley
Biography coming
- Court Liaison — Tommy Austin
Tommy Austin graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1975 with a bachelor of science in law enforcement/police science. Tommy was a U. S. Customs Service agent responsible for the investigation of the illegal exportation of American industrial high technology, weapons of war, nuclear weapons, nuclear devices, and enforcing the Trading with the Enemy Act from 1994 to 1997.
Tommy might have anticipated at least some of the dangerous and exciting assignments he has faced. What he did not anticipate, however, was meeting a four-year-old boy named Christopher Greicius in Phoenix, Ariz., in 1977, and what would happen as a result of that meeting. Chris Greicius was suffering from cancer and his greatest wish was to be a police officer. After Austin and his law enforcement friends gave Chris helicopter and police cruiser rides, a badge, and his own uniform, complete with police helmet and goggles, the Greicius Make-A-Wish Foundation was born.
Austin, now retired from the Customs Service, has earned his Masters of Social Work from the University of Houston. With the awards, memberships, and involvements he has amassed in his law enforcement and volunteer agency career and his education, Mr. Austin was appointed court Liaison in 2001, and his efforts in this capacity have resulted in better client outcomes in court and in Family Protective Services hearings. He has proven himself a real community leader who represents the clients served by Santa Maria and demonstrates daily a vested interest in the success of the families he serves.
- Compliance and Client Satisfaction Coordinator — Anita Wilson
Anita Wilson has worked in various capacities with Santa Maria Hostel. She began her career with Santa Maria Hostel in 1999; she was the Child Care Director at the Paschall location. More recently, Anita has worked as Program Assistant for the Women and Children’s program. Anita believes her most recent promotion to the position as Compliance/Client Satisfaction Coordinator will be her greatest opportunity so far to foster her dedication of being an advocate for Santa Maria’s mission. Currently, Anita is attending University of Houston-Downtown.
- Human Resource Coordinator/Payroll— Leslie Hamilton
Biography coming
- Volunteer Coordinator, Santa Maria's Jacquelyn House — Pam Vangiessen
Pamela van Giessen is a native from The Netherlands who spent her childhood years in Holland, Belgium, and France. During her years working as a secretary and French-English translator (she speaks 6 languages) in the Oil & Gas industry she lived and worked in The Netherlands, Israel, Norway, and the United States where she arrived in 1967.
Pamela has a BS in Psychology from the University of Houston and a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from St. Thomas University also in Houston. Her interest in psychology and in spirituality slowly drew her to the religious life. She entered with the Dominican Sisters of Houston, Texas where she professed her final vows in 2001. As a member of the Dominican Sisters, she has worked as a ship chaplain in the Port of Houston where she ministered for 7 years. In that capacity Pamela visited on board ships with crews composed of multiple nationalities from all over the world. She has also worked as a hospital chaplain at the Memorial Houston Hospital System.
In 2007 Pamela started working at Santa Maria Hostel where she currently enjoys working as the Volunteer Coordinator. Pamela’s gift for languages, her creativity, her energy and enthusiasm, and her understanding of and openness to other cultures and nationalities, have been tremendous assets to her throughout her life.
- Volunteer Coordinator, Santa Maria's Bonita House — Amelia Murphy
Amelia Ann Murphy was born in Oakland, CA and raised in Houston, TX. She has worked since 1994 in the Chemical Dependency Field. The beginning was as a Volunteer with Houston Council Alcohol and Drugs Houston. She was nominated for “Volunteer of The Year” by the CEO, Mr. Fingers and G. Randall along with Channel 2, which broadcast the award as part of the segment of “Giving Back.”
As a student with Houston Community College, North Harris Community College and University of Houston Downtown Campus, her interest to cross-over to Clinical Studies emerged. Currently, Amelia Murphy is Santa Maria’s Bonita House Volunteer Coordinator. She serves as the liaison between SMH-BH and the City of Houston Council Office as the Super Neighborhood Representative which involves the business aspects in the community. Amelia has worked in various capacities with the Santa Maria Hostel Organization periodically over the years and is a big advocate for its mission.
- Medical Records & Billing Manager — Deddra McGee
Biography coming
- Program Director, Women and Children's Program — Donna White
Donna White has been in the field of addictions since 2000. She received her associate's degree in Mental Health from Houston Community College. She is currently attending University of Houston-Victoria and is in the Criminal Justice Program.
Donna began working Donna White has been in the field of addiction since 2000. She received her associate's degree in Mental Health from Houston Community College and is currently attending University of Houston-Victoria and is in the Criminal Justice Program.
Donna began working with women involved with Child Protective Services in the beginning of her career in the addiction field. While as a counselor intern she developed an outpatient program for dual-disorder clients in 1999. Donna came to Santa Maria in 2000, loves her work, is dedicated to her client’s success, and is committed to providing the best quality care to clients and their children.
with Women involved with Child Protective Services in the beginning of her career in the addiction field. While as a counselor intern she developed an outpatient program for dual-disorder clients in 1999. Donna came to Santa Maria on September 30, 2000. She loves her work and is committed to providing the best quality care to clients.
- Program Director, Specialized Female Programs — Yvonne Tims
Biography coming
- Program Director, Outpatient & Transitional Programs
- Program Director, WHO/ARP Program — Isaac Stephens
Issac Stephens entered the field of substance abuse treatment in 1994 and has been a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor since 1999. Issac received a certificate of completion in Chemical Dependency Counseling from the Center of Addiction Studies at the University of Houston.
His managerial experience includes clinical supervision and program director for both residential and outpatient treatment programs. Issac has worked closely with Child Protective Services (CPS), Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and Harris County Community Supervision & Corrections Department, and the STAR Drug Court.
- Director of Prevention — Rex Powell
Rex Powell is a Psychotherapist, who is also a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Trauma Resolution Therapist, and Certified Anger Resolution Therapist with a Masters degree in behavioral science from The University of Houston Clear Lake. With over thirty-five years of experience in psychotherapy, counseling, education, and instruction he is currently the director of Santa Maria’s Prevention Program, is an active faculty member at The University of Phoenix, and a Psychology Adjunct with the Lone Star Community College District.
- Education Coordinator — Linda Johnson
Linda Johnson graduated from Grambling State University with top honors in 1975. For over 30 plus years she perfected her skills in professionalism, project management, business analysis, career development, job training, and oral and written communications. Excellence, her zest for making a difference, and a strong sense of family faith-based values all contribute to the person she is today.
Linda is also a product of strong work ethics and the belief that knowledge is power. In 2005 she became a certified GED Instructor for North Harris Montgomery Community College. Her GED training and experiences continue in her work with the Houston Community College System.
Also in 2005, Linda began working with women and children as a volunteer for Bonita House of Hope. While serving as a volunteer, Linda accepted the position of Personal Education Career Development Specialist. She was responsible for the development, updating and maintenance of the Personal, Educational, and Career Development curricula. She also functioned as User Liaison for creating and maintaining networking relationships with community, business, vocational, services and educational leaders.
Linda began working with Santa Maria Hostel in January 2009, as the Educational Services Instructor. She welcomes the challenges and opportunities to contribute to the lives of the women and children at SMH.
- Housing Project Director — Deanna Alexander
Ms. Deanna Alexander was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana but now calls Houston, Texas home. Deanna joined Santa Maria Hostel in September 2008 and assumed the role of Project Director HUD/HOPWA Housing with Santa Maria’s Bonita House in January 2009. Deanna has extensive administrative and managerial experience in the Federal, State and the private sector.
Deanna is committed to the belief that a home is much more than four walls and a roof. She encourages Bonita House residents toward self-sufficiency to empower them to become independent and move away from the stigma of homelessness. With a perceptive outlook, Deanna realizes the future of Santa Maria’s Bonita Transitional Housing deserves commitment, along with an excellent team-oriented staff that are working constantly to develop new programs to enrich Bonita House’s transitional housing client’s lives and futures.
Deanna is also an active member of Sigma Phi Kappa Sorority in which she served as a founding mother. Ms. Alexander holds a BA from the University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing her Master of Human Services with a concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling.